Canopy Structure

ABSTRACT

A collapsible canopy structure comprising, in an erected configuration, a roof area structure and sidewalls extending downwardly from the roof area structure, including a docking arrangement permitting a vehicle to be positioned at least partly docked entered into the interior of the canopy. The docking arrangement includes a magnetic securing system for securing the canopy to the vehicle and/or a fold-over section of the roof area structure of the canopy folded over from a stowed position to cover an upper portion of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/009,826, filed Dec. 5, 2013, which is the US National Stage of PatentCooperation Treaty Application Serial No. PCT/GB2012/050755, filed onApr. 4, 2012, which claims priority from UK Application Serial No. GB1105665.2, filed on Apr. 4, 2011, all of which are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to a collapsible canopy structure, and inparticular to such a structure shaped and dimensioned to partiallyenclose a large vehicle in order to enable a portion of a vehicle to besheltered.

2. State of the Art

GB2383351 discloses a collapsible canopy structure which can be mountedto the roof of a vehicle and moved to a location where it can bedemounted end erected from a stowed configuration.

The canopy of GB2383351 is designed to completely enclose a vehicle andprovide a controlled environment for conducting work on a vehicle. Afume extraction system is provided for the canopy.

SUMMARY

An improved arrangement has now been devised which enables work to beconducted on large vehicles such as trucks large vans, busses and thelike.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides acollapsible canopy structure comprising, in an erected configuration, aroof area structure and sidewalls extending downwardly from the roofarea structure, including a docking arrangement permitting a vehicle tobe positioned at least partly docked entered into the interior of thecanopy; wherein the docking arrangement includes:

-   -   i) magnetic securing means for securing the canopy to the        vehicle; and/or,    -   ii) a fold-over section of the roof area structure of the canopy        folded over from a stowed position to cover an upper portion of        the vehicle.

It is preferred that the structure is re-configurable from the erectedconfiguration to a stowed configuration.

In the stowed configuration, it is preferred that the structure isconfigured to be mounted on the roof of a vehicle for transportation.

Beneficially, the roof area structure includes a storage section arrangeto store the fold- over section of the roof area structure in the stowedconfiguration.

In one embodiment it may be preferred that the storage section comprisesopposed end portions to which one or more frame members of the fold-oversection of the roof area structure are pivotably mounted. The opposedend portions may be connected by a connecting portion.

In certain embodiments, it is preferred that the opposed end portionsare arranged to connect to support frame legs to support the canopyarrangement above the ground when in the erected configuration.

Beneficially, the storage section is arranged to be de-mountably securedto the roof of a transportation vehicle.

In an embodiment, it is preferred that one or more frame members of thefold-over section of the roof area structure are pivotably mounted to bemovable from a laid flat stowed position, up and over to an erectedconfiguration.

Beneficially, a plurality of frame members can comprise the fold-oversection of the roof area structure being pivotably mounted to be movablefrom a laid flat stowed position, up and over to an erectedconfiguration.

In the erect configuration, it is preferred that at least one framemember of the fold-over section of the roof area structure is extendsupwardly above its stowed position. This gives the erected structureincreased height enabling use with high sided commercial vehicles.

It is preferred that the magnetic securing means comprise magneticstrips for securing the canopy to the vehicle sides and/or roof.

In one embodiment the magnetic strips may be separate from the canopyand for example used to sandwich the canopy between the magnetic stripand the vehicle sidewall or roof.

In an alternative embodiment, the magnetic strips may be secured to thecanopy for example by being sewn into a hem or margin of the canopy.

By providing an elongate line of securing using magnetic strips aneffective sealed or controlled environment can be provided in theinterior of the controlled canopy zone.

According to an alternative aspect, the invention provides a method ofworking on a vehicle in which a canopy structure is erected to have aroof area structure and sidewalls extending downwardly from the roofarea structure, a vehicle is docked with a docking arrangementpermitting the vehicle to be positioned docked at least partly enteredinto the interior of the canopy; and wherein the canopy is secured alongthe roof and the sidewalls of the vehicle to provide a controlledworking environment cut off from ambient external conditions.

It is preferred that magnetic securing means is used to secure thecanopy to the vehicle.

It is preferred that a fold-over section of the roof area structure ofthe canopy is folded over from a stowed position to cover an upperportion of the vehicle.

The canopy structure is beneficially carried to the erection locationmounted in a stowed configuration (preferably on top of the roof of atransportation vehicle).

Beneficially, fume extraction apparatus is operated to extract fumesfrom the interior of the canopy structure.

The invention will now be further described in a specific embodiment, byway of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary canopy structurein accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to the view of FIG. 1 with the canopyshown as removed from the underlying frame;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the roof area structure inthe stowed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, there is shown acollapsible canopy structure 1 in an erected configuration. The canopystructure has a supporting framework comprising upright support framelegs 2 and longitudinally extending support frame members 3 covered witha fabric cover having a roof section 4 and side curtains 5 (only the oneside curtain is shown in FIG. 1 for clarity of explanation).

The roof cover 4 forms part of the roof area structure 5 which isprovided with three u- shaped frame members 6,7,8 which are pivotallymounted to a storage section 12 of the structure 1. The leg supports 2are also supported from the storage section 12.

The arrangement is similar in many respects to the arrangement shown inGB2383351. As shown in FIG. 3, the storage section 12 is connected to acorresponding section 13 extending parallel to one-another and spacedapart. An interconnecting frame member 14 is provided at one side of thearrangement. The frame section comprising the elements 12, 13, 14 isfabricated as a unitary item which is arranged to be demountably securedto the roof of a transportation vehicle. Storage section 13 is providedtoward the forward end of the roof of the transportation vehicle.Storage section 12 is provided to the rear end of the roof of thetransportation vehicle and the interconnecting frame member 14 extendsalong the roof of the transportation vehicle between the storagesections 12, 13. The storage sections are provided on their respectiveundersides with means for clamping to roof bars or racks provided on thetransportation vehicle.

The u-shaped frame elements 6,7,8 are stored as shown in FIG. 3 pivotedto lay flat nested one within another within the boundary defined by thestorage sections 12,13, and frame member 14. The support frame legs 2are pivotally mounted by extensions 27 to the respective storagesections 12 and 13 and pivot from the erected supporting configurationshown in the drawings, to be stored extending horizontally between theopposed storage sections 12, 13. The extensions 27 slide into therespective storage sections 12, 13, and lock for transportation in thestowed position. In the supporting position stays 25 hold the supportframe legs 2 in their upright position. The longitudinally extendingframe members 3 are demountable to be stored either internally of thevehicle or underslung below the support section 12, 13, 14 positioned onthe roof of the vehicle.

In a similar manner to the arrangement of GB2383351 the support framelegs 2 are provided on rollers 15 and the support legs 2 are connectedto the respective frame sections 12,13 enabling the whole arrangement tobe lifted clear of the roof of the transportation vehicle.

From the position shown in FIG. 3, the roof area section is erected bypivoting the u-shaped frame members 6, 7, 8 about their pivotableconnection to the respective sections 12, 13 such that they reach theconfiguration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. By drawing the front frame member6 from the stowed position, the connected canopy causes the adjacentframe members 7 and 8 also to be successively drawn from the stowedposition.

The configuration shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the arrangement shownin FIG. 1, however, in FIG. 2 the fabric canopy is not shown in thedrawings.

As can be seen clearly from FIG. 1, the distal end 17 of the structureis closed by means of the fabric canopy attached to the frame elements20 and 21. The proximal end 18 of the structure is rendered open andprovides a docking opening enabling the front or rear end of a vehicleto be driven into the canopy arrangement. Because the roof areastructure 5 is pivoted to extend upwardly from the stowed position shownin FIG. 3 to the erected position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, vehicles ofheight significantly greater than the height of the transportationvehicle can be accommodated for docking with the structure. Inparticular, because the front, middle and rear u-shaped pivotablesupport members 6,7,8 can be positionally adjusted, significantlydifferent height vehicles can be accommodated in the docking area.

It is important to ensure that an effectively isolated environment isprovided in the interior of the canopy to enable adequate repairconditions to exist and also fume extraction apparatus to be operated toeffectively filter any particulates and harmful gases without allowingthese to escape to the exterior of the canopy. Therefore, it isimportant to ensure that the docking end of the canopy within which thevehicle is positioned, is secured along the roof and side walls of thevehicle to a degree sufficient to provide a controlled workingenvironment cut off from ambient external conditions. An absoluteairtight seal is not required but the loose curtains of the canopy needto be held in some way against the side of the vehicle and the magneticsecuring means achieves this well.

This is therefore conveniently achieved by means of the magneticsecuring strips 22 which are used to secure the flexible material of thecanopy to the sides and roof of the vehicle.

The magnetic securing strips may be provided free of the material of thecanopy and simply positioned to sandwich the canopy material between therespective strips 22 and the vehicle. Flexible elongate magnetic stripsare conveniently used.

Alternatively, it is possible that the strips 22 may be providedincorporated with the canopy material (for example, by stitching into ahem or fold of the material).

The invention provides a convenient and quickly erectable structurewhich can be transported conveniently to a location for use and readilyerected into position. The arrangement enables vehicles of significantheight to be partially enclosed and docked in a secure and sealed mannerto enable an adequate environment for vehicle repair to be createdaround the respective end of side of vehicle that needs to be repaired.A working zone is provided about the end or side of the docked vehicle.

The canopy material of the roof area 5 frame members 6, 7, 8 remainsattached to those frame members when the roof area structure is in thestowed or erected position. The remaining frame elements 2, 3, 20, 21are removed from loops or sheaths provided on the canopy material andstowed otherwise. The canopy material is folded and stowed on top of theframe members 6,7,8 laying flat in their stowed position.

There have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments ofa safety harness system and corresponding method of operation. Whileparticular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is notintended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended thatthe invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that thespecification be read likewise. It will therefore be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made tothe provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope asclaimed.

1. A collapsible canopy structure for a vehicle comprising: in anerected configuration, a roof area structure and sidewalls extendingdownwardly from the roof area structure, including a docking arrangementpermitting the vehicle to be positioned at least partly inside theinterior of the canopy; wherein the docking arrangement includes atleast one of: i) magnetic securing means for securing the canopy to thevehicle; and ii) a fold-over section of the roof area structure of thecanopy folded over from a stowed position to cover an upper portion ofthe vehicle.
 2. A collapsible canopy structure according to claim 1,wherein: the collapsible canopy structure is re-configurable from theerected configuration to a stowed configuration.
 3. A collapsible canopystructure according to claim 2, wherein: in the stowed configuration,the collapsible canopy structure is configured to be mounted on the roofof a vehicle for transportation.
 4. A collapsible canopy structureaccording to claim 1, wherein: the roof area structure includes astorage section arranged to store the fold-over section of the roof areastructure in the stowed configuration.
 5. A collapsible canopy structureaccording to claim 4, wherein: the storage section comprises opposed endportions to which one or more frame members of the fold-over section ofthe roof area structure are pivotably mounted.
 6. A collapsible canopystructure according to claim 5, wherein: the opposed end portions areconnected by a connecting portion.
 7. A collapsible canopy structureaccording to claim 5, wherein: the opposed portions are arranged toconnect to support frame legs to support the canopy structure above theground when in the erected configuration.
 8. A collapsible canopystructure according to claim 4, wherein: the storage section is arrangedto be removably secured to the roof of a transportation vehicle.
 9. Acollapsible canopy structure according to claim 1, wherein: one or moreframe members of the fold-over section of the roof area structure arepivotably mounted to be movable from a laid flat stowed position, up andover to an erected configuration.
 10. A collapsible canopy structureaccording to claim 9, wherein: a plurality of frame members of thefold-over section of the roof area structure are pivotably mounted to bemovable from the laid flat stowed position, up and over to the erectedconfiguration.
 11. A collapsible canopy structure according to claim 9,wherein: in the erect configuration, a frame member of the fold-oversection of the roof area structure is configured to extend upwardlyabove its stowed position.
 12. A collapsible canopy structure accordingto claim 1, wherein: the magnetic securing means comprise magneticstrips for securing the canopy to the vehicle.
 13. A method of workingon a vehicle comprising: erecting a canopy structure into an erectedconfiguration having a roof area structure and sidewalls extendingdownwardly from the roof area structure, wherein the erectedconfiguration of the canopy structure has a docking arrangement thatpermits the vehicle to be positioned at least partly inside the interiorof the canopy; with the canopy structure in the erected configuration,positioning a vehicle in relation to the docking arrangement such thatthe vehicle is positioned at least partly inside the interior of thecanopy; and with the canopy structure in the erected configuration,securing the canopy structure along the roof and the sidewalls of thevehicle to provide a controlled working environment cut off from ambientexternal conditions.
 14. A method according to claim 13, wherein:magnetic securing means is used to secure the canopy to the vehicle. 15.A method according to claim 13, wherein: the canopy structure is carriedin a stowed configuration.
 16. A method according to claim 13, wherein:a fume extraction apparatus is operated to extract fumes from theinterior of the canopy structure.
 17. A method according to claim 15,wherein: the canopy structure is carried in the stowed configuration ontop of the roof of a transportation vehicle.
 18. A method according toclaim 13, wherein: in the erected configuration, a fold-over section ofthe roof area structure of the canopy is folded over from a stowedposition to cover an upper portion of the vehicle.